RT reported that Israel has resumed airstrikes in the Gaza Strip after negotiations with Hamas on releasing remaining hostages and executing a failed ceasefire.
In the early morning of March 18 (local time), the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that large-scale airstrikes were being deployed in Gaza to destroy terrorist targets of the Iran-backed Hamas non-state force.
According to the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, the airstrikes were a response to Hamas' continuous refusal to release hostages as well as proposals from US presidential special forces behind Steve Witkoff and the intermediaries.
The document of the Prime Minister's Office stated: "Israel will act against Hamas from now on with increasing military power".
Gaza health officials said at least 100 people were killed, while Wafa news agency reported airstrikes in the central and southern part of the densely populated area.
For its part, Hamas said that Israel had "unilaterally" ended the ceasefire mediated by the US and Arab states. Under the deal, which came into effect on January 19, Hamas has handed over 25 hostages and the bodies of the eight captives in exchange for about 1,500 Palestinians released from Israeli prisoners.
According to RT, Israel and Hamas have not been able to reach an agreement on further steps since the first phase of the ceasefire agreement expired on March 1.
The Israeli government accused Hamas of deceiving and waging a psychological war and blamed the group for rejecting a plan presented by US special missionary Steve Witkoff last week.
In contrast, Hamas revealed earlier this month that the group was working with intermediaries to force Israel to carry out further stages of the ceasefire.
